Imagine this: you’re out for a run, the sun is shining, and your favorite song is playing through your earbuds. You glance at your wrist and see how far you’ve gone, your pace, and even your heart rate. Sounds pretty amazing, right? But getting to that point can feel a little tricky. So many running watches have GPS and music, it’s hard to know which one is best for you.
Many runners want the freedom of leaving their phone at home but still want to track their miles and jam out. The problem is, there are tons of watches out there, and they all promise different things. It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out which features actually matter and which ones are just extra bells and whistles. You want a watch that’s easy to use, accurate, and plays your music without a fuss.
Don’t worry, though! This post is here to help. We’ll break down what makes a great GPS running watch with music. You’ll learn what to look for so you can pick a watch that makes your runs even better. By the end, you’ll feel confident choosing the perfect companion for your next adventure.
Our Top 5 Running Watch With Gps And Music Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 Music | 8.8/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music | 8.8/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin Forerunner 165 Music | 9.0/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin Forerunner 55 | 9.1/10 | Check Price |
 | Garmin 010-02120-20 Forerunner 245 Music | 9.4/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Running Watch With Gps And Music Detailed Reviews
1. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music
Rating: 9.1/10
The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a fantastic smartwatch for runners. It helps you track your runs with built-in GPS and measures your heart rate. The bright AMOLED screen is easy to see, and you can still use the buttons if you prefer. It’s light and comfortable to wear, and the battery lasts a long time, so you don’t have to charge it every day. This watch is designed to help you reach your fitness goals with smart workout suggestions and insights into how your body is recovering.
What We Like:
- Bright and clear AMOLED touchscreen display.
- Built-in GPS tracks your pace and distance accurately.
- Wrist-based heart rate monitoring keeps an eye on your effort.
- Personalized daily workout suggestions help you train smarter.
- Music storage lets you listen to your favorite songs without your phone.
- Long battery life keeps going for days.
- Over 25 activity profiles cover many sports, not just running.
- Morning report gives you a quick look at your sleep and recovery.
- Safety features like incident detection offer peace of mind.
- Garmin Pay lets you make contactless payments easily.
What Could Be Improved:
- Some advanced training features might be more complex for absolute beginners.
- Music streaming requires a subscription to services like Spotify.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a powerful yet user-friendly smartwatch that offers great value for runners and fitness enthusiasts. It provides all the essential tools to track your progress and stay motivated.
2. Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music
Rating: 8.6/10
The Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music is a smartwatch designed for runners who want to track their progress and listen to music without their phone. It has a slim design and a bright screen that you can see even in the sun. You can choose between two sizes, 46 mm and 41 mm. This watch lasts a long time on a single charge, up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours when using GPS.
What We Like:
- Music Storage: You can download up to 500 songs directly to the watch from services like Spotify and Amazon Music. This means you can listen to music with wireless headphones without carrying your phone.
- Long Battery Life: The battery lasts for weeks in regular use and many hours during GPS runs, so you don’t have to charge it often.
- Advanced Health Tracking: It tracks your sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) to give you insights into how well you’re recovering and performing.
- Personalized Training: The watch offers daily workout suggestions and training plans for different race distances like 5K, 10K, and half-marathons. It also adapts these suggestions based on your performance.
- Morning Report: When you wake up, you get a quick summary of your sleep, HRV status, and a workout suggestion for the day.
- Running Dynamics: With an extra sensor, you can see how much power you’re putting into each step while running.
What Could Be Improved:
- Subscription Required for Music: To download playlists from music services, you need a paid subscription.
- HRV and Activity Estimates: The watch provides estimates for some metrics, so it’s good to remember it’s a tool for guidance, not a medical device.
- Extra Sensors Needed: To get advanced running dynamics, you need to buy additional sensors separately.
The Garmin Forerunner® 255 Music is a powerful tool for runners looking to improve their performance and enjoy their workouts with music. Its comprehensive features and long battery life make it a standout choice for serious athletes.
3. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music
Rating: 8.8/10
The Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is a running smartwatch that helps you reach your fitness goals. It has a bright, colorful screen and is easy to use with both touch and buttons. You can listen to music right from your wrist, track your runs with GPS, and get helpful advice on your workouts and recovery. It’s also lightweight and has a long battery life, making it a great companion for your daily activities and training.
What We Like:
- Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with easy-to-use buttons.
- Built-in GPS accurately tracks pace and distance.
- Personalized daily suggested workouts adapt to your performance and recovery.
- Music storage for phone-free listening with wireless headphones.
- Morning report provides sleep, recovery, and training outlook.
- Tracks training effect and suggests recovery time.
- Safety features like incident detection and assistance keep you safe.
- Smart notifications for calls and texts from your phone.
- Garmin Pay allows for contactless payments on the go.
- Lightweight design and up to 11 days of battery life.
What Could Be Improved:
- Music streaming requires a subscription to services like Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer.
- Safety and tracking features need a paired smartphone with network coverage.
This smartwatch offers a fantastic balance of features for runners of all levels. It’s a smart choice for anyone looking to improve their fitness and enjoy their music while on the move.
4. Garmin Forerunner 55
Rating: 8.9/10
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a fantastic GPS running watch designed to help you reach your fitness goals. It’s packed with helpful features that make training smarter and easier. This watch tracks your runs with GPS and monitors your heart rate right from your wrist. Plus, it boasts an impressive battery life, lasting up to two weeks on a single charge in smartwatch mode. The black color looks sleek and stylish for any activity.
What We Like:
- It easily tracks your runs using GPS, showing how far, fast, and where you went.
- You get daily suggested workouts that are tailored to your fitness level and how recovered you are.
- The PacePro feature helps you plan your race day strategy by giving you pace guidance.
- It has great training tools like race time predictions to help you know your finish time.
- You can track many different activities, from running and cycling to swimming and even Pilates and HIIT workouts.
- Advanced wellness features like intensity minutes and fitness age help you understand your body better.
- The battery lasts a long time, up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode.
- It’s easy to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
- You can customize the watch face and add apps from the Connect IQ Store.
What Could Be Improved:
- The PacePro feature isn’t compatible with on-device courses.
- While it monitors heart rate, it’s important to remember it’s not a medical device.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a solid choice for runners and fitness enthusiasts looking for a capable and user-friendly watch. Its combination of tracking, training guidance, and long battery life makes it a valuable companion for your fitness journey.
5. Garmin 010-02120-20 Forerunner 245 Music
Rating: 9.2/10
The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a fantastic GPS running smartwatch that helps you train smarter and enjoy your runs more. It’s packed with features to track your progress and keep you motivated, and you can even bring your music along for the ride!
What We Like:
- It lets you store and play your favorite songs right from your wrist, syncing with services like Spotify.
- You get advanced training insights to see if you’re training just right.
- It offers cool features like incident detection for safety.
- The watch is built tough with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and a fiber-reinforced polymer bezel.
- You can get free training plans from Garmin Coach or create your own.
- It provides detailed running dynamics to help you improve your form (with extra sensors).
- Battery life is great, lasting up to 7 days in smartwatch mode.
What Could Be Improved:
- To get the most advanced running dynamics, you need to buy extra monitors like the Running Dynamics Pod.
- GPS mode with music drains the battery faster, lasting only 6 hours.
This smartwatch is a powerful tool for runners looking to improve their performance and stay connected. It offers a wealth of data and features to support your fitness journey.
Your Next Running Buddy: Choosing a GPS Watch with Music
Ready to hit the pavement with your favorite tunes? A running watch with GPS and music is your ultimate workout companion. It tracks your runs, keeps you motivated with music, and helps you explore new routes. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide will help you find the perfect fit.
What to Look For: Key Features
When you’re shopping for a running watch with GPS and music, some features are more important than others. Here’s what to keep in mind:
GPS Accuracy
A good GPS watch needs to accurately track your distance, pace, and route. This means it can pinpoint your location reliably. Look for watches that mention multi-band GPS or GLONASS support. These systems help improve accuracy, especially in tricky areas like cities with tall buildings or dense forests.
Music Storage and Playback
This is a big one! You want a watch that can hold plenty of songs. Check how much music storage it offers (usually in gigabytes). Also, see how you can get music onto the watch. Some sync easily with your computer, while others connect to music streaming apps like Spotify or Deezer. Bluetooth connectivity is essential for wireless headphones.
Battery Life
A watch that dies mid-run is no fun. Look for good battery life, especially in GPS mode. Many watches list battery life in hours for GPS tracking and days for regular use. Consider how often you’ll need to charge it.
Durability and Water Resistance
Running watches take a beating. They should be tough enough for your workouts. Look for materials that can withstand bumps and scratches. Water resistance is also key, whether you’re running in the rain or just sweating a lot. A rating of 5 ATM or higher is generally good for swimming and water sports.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Many watches have built-in heart rate sensors. This helps you train in the right zones and monitor your fitness progress. Some also offer advanced metrics like VO2 max, which estimates your aerobic fitness.
Smart Features
Beyond running, many watches offer smart notifications from your phone, contactless payments, and even sleep tracking. Decide if these extras are important to you.
Materials That Matter
The materials used in a watch affect its comfort, durability, and look.
- Watch Case: Often made from plastic, polymer, or sometimes metal like aluminum or stainless steel. Plastic is lightweight, while metal offers more durability and a premium feel.
- Strap: Silicone straps are common for sports watches. They are flexible, waterproof, and comfortable. Some watches offer interchangeable straps, so you can switch to a different look or material.
- Screen: Look for a scratch-resistant screen. Gorilla Glass is a popular and strong choice.
What Makes a Watch Great (or Not So Great)?
Several things can make a running watch shine or fall short.
Quality Boosters
- Intuitive Interface: Easy-to-navigate menus make using the watch a breeze.
- Reliable App: The companion app for syncing data and customizing settings should be user-friendly and stable.
- Accurate Sensors: Precise GPS and heart rate tracking are crucial for meaningful data.
- Comfortable Fit: A watch that feels good on your wrist, even during long runs, is a winner.
Quality Reducers
- Poor GPS Signal: Inaccurate tracking is frustrating.
- Short Battery Life: Constantly needing to charge is inconvenient.
- Clunky Software: Difficult menus or a laggy app can ruin the experience.
- Uncomfortable Strap: A strap that irritates your skin will make you want to take the watch off.
User Experience and Use Cases
These watches are designed for runners, but they can do much more!
For the Everyday Runner
If you run a few times a week, a watch that tracks your distance, pace, and heart rate, while also playing your favorite pump-up playlist, is perfect. It keeps you motivated and helps you see how you improve over time.
For the Trail Explorer
If you love running on trails, accurate GPS is a must. Many watches offer navigation features, showing you maps and helping you find your way back. Plenty of music storage means you won’t run out of tunes on long adventures.
For the Fitness Enthusiast
Beyond running, these watches can track other activities like cycling, swimming, and gym workouts. Advanced metrics help you understand your overall fitness and recovery.
Choosing the right running watch with GPS and music is an investment in your fitness journey. By focusing on key features, materials, and user experience, you can find a watch that keeps you moving and grooving!
Running Watch with GPS and Music: Your Questions Answered
We know buying a new gadget can bring up questions. Here are some common ones about running watches with GPS and music.
Q: What is the most important feature in a running watch with GPS and music?
A: The most important features are accurate GPS tracking and good music storage with easy playback. These help you run your best and stay motivated.
Q: How much music can these watches hold?
A: This varies. Some can hold hundreds of songs, while others can store thousands. Check the watch’s specifications for its storage capacity, usually measured in gigabytes (GB).
Q: Do I need a smartphone to use the music feature?
A: It depends on the watch. Some watches require a smartphone to transfer music or stream. Others can store music directly and play it through Bluetooth headphones without a phone.
Q: What does “water resistance” mean for a watch?
A: Water resistance ratings tell you how well the watch can handle water. A rating of 5 ATM means it can withstand splashes and rain, and can even be used for swimming.
Q: How accurate is the GPS on these watches?
A: Most modern GPS watches are very accurate. However, accuracy can sometimes be affected by things like tall buildings or dense tree cover. Look for watches that mention multi-band GPS for the best results.
Q: How long does the battery usually last?
A: Battery life varies greatly. In GPS mode, expect anywhere from 8 to 40 hours. When used as a regular watch, many last for several days or even weeks on a single charge.
Q: Can I use any Bluetooth headphones with these watches?
A: Generally, yes. Most running watches use standard Bluetooth to connect to wireless headphones. It’s always a good idea to check the watch’s compatibility if you have specific headphones in mind.
Q: What is a “smartwatch” feature?
A: Smartwatch features include things like getting text messages and call alerts on your wrist, making contactless payments, and sometimes even controlling other smart devices.
Q: Are these watches difficult to set up?
A: Most watches are designed to be user-friendly. You usually pair them with a smartphone app, which guides you through the setup process and helps you customize settings.
Q: Can I track other sports besides running?
A: Yes! Many running watches have modes for cycling, swimming, hiking, and many other activities. They collect relevant data for each sport.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.